Episode 7.01: Meet the New Boss

OFFICIAL CW Description: Castiel (Misha Collins) doesn’t kill Sam (Jared Padalecki), Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Bobby (Jim Beaver) but warns them not to interfere in his business. Assuming his new role as God, Castiel sets out to right some of the wrongs in the world. Dean decides they should bind Death (guest star Julian Richings) and order him to stop Castiel, but the former angel is one step ahead of them, leaving Dean to face a very angry Death. Meanwhile, Sam struggles to deal with the broken wall in his head. Phil Sgriccia directed the episode written by Sera Gamble.

The Ramble

I spent so much of Season 6 tense. Wondering what this group would think about that scene, or what that group would think about this moment. The season polarized fandom unlike any season prior. So, I ended it a bit wary of having enough ‘oompf’ to ramble on for another season.

But I have to tell you, I really think I’m going to like this season. I was entertained by this premiere. And yes, the story fell into some predictable formulas/patterns, and yes there were things I temporarily tensed up at because I knew group X wouldn’t agree/appreciate, but I’d missed seeing these guys so much I just rolled with it and I think I’m going to like how the story of my favorite Kansan hunters continues to evolve.

That, and…they’re just so pretty. *grins*

The writing skirts some subjects that, if we allowed it to, could be pretty controversial. But I like how they dare to do that. Push the edges a bit, without full-on breaking the barriers. Makes us think, tilts our heads. I really think this is going to be an interesting season. I’m ready, man.

So, the Road So Far was pretty much all the stuff that happened in Season 6. You were there, you saw it. Ironically, it was set to Foghat’s ‘Slow Ride.’ ‘Cause, yeah. It kinda was, IMO.

Oh! Before I forget—I LOVED the new title card, Then/Now background with the wrinkled paper effect and the type face and the bleeding ink…very cool. And goes well with what I’ve heard about the theme for the overall season. Which, if you haven’t heard anything, I shan’t spoil you, but it has me intrigued and liking the title card because of it.

Thankfully, we pick up right where we left off (though Dean’s hair is a tad longer—YUM). Dean’s holding his left arm against his side as if it or something inside of him is broken—and for good reason. He was tossed around but good in the finale. Everyone is staring at Cas with “Come again?” expressions on their faces and then, quite frankly shocking me, Bobby kneels.

Bobby: This good or you want the whole forehead to the carpet thing?

*burbles up a chuckle in spite of the seriousness of the situation*

Then, Dean and Sam start to kneel and I’m all WHAT?! No, no no no no….

I’m not sure what I expected them to do, exactly. I mean, Cas had just told him he’d destroy them if he didn’t and he was pretty high on power, so I could see them trying to figure out a way to escape with their body parts in the original positions. Still. I don’t like the idea of Dean kneeling before anyone (aside from the real God, maybe).

Cas, however, stops them. Says it’s pointless if they don’t mean it. He wants them to kneel out of love, not fear. But you can’t make someone love you. Which, sadly, I think Cas realizes a smidge too late. Sam tries to say something but Cas interrupts him.

Cas: Sam, you have nothing to say to me. You stabbed me in the back.

Heh. It’s true. He did.

So, hyped up on power, Cas said that the Castiel they knew is gone, and calls Dean a ‘brave little ant’ for standing up to him. Meanwhile, Sam is looking downright ill. Cas is looking at Dean saying that they were his favorite “pets,” before they turned and bit him.

Dean’s all, “Who are you?” (He must not have been paying attention to The Road So Far.)

Cas is like, hello…? I’m God! Be nice and you can stay in my Kingdom otherwise, I’ll take all the toys and go home. Cas can tell Sam is fading and Dean calls him on it – says he promised to fix Sam. Cas is like, yeah, if you stood down, Dean, which you clearly didn’t, so no fixing. He says he could have put Sam back in the cage, so be thankful of his mercy. Way to get them to love you, Cas.

Dean (voice tingeing on desperation): Cas, this is nuts. You can turn this around. Please

Cas is all poof! gone. And then Sam gives in to the effects of pulling the three hims back together. His nose is bleeding and he sees flashes of himself, burning in Hell as Dean shoots a panicked look his way and calls his name. And you know what just occurred to me? Back in Season 5, right before Sam said ‘yes’ and allowed Lucifer in, Luci says that Hell is cold. That where he was (which would have been the cage) was cold. I wonder why they didn’t play on that angle a bit more instead of having Sam burning…. *shrugs*

ANYWAY, Sam falls to his knees, cuts his hand on glass and then…black.

Gaelicspirit is a storyteller. She is a recent addition to Whedonverse Network, but has been writing and posting recap/reviews of Supernatural on LiveJournal since 2007. She works as a freelance writer and consultant in the real world, and is ever-connected to the six-degrees of Joss Whedon.

Related

Gaelicspirit

Gaelicspirit is a storyteller. She is a recent addition to Whedonverse Network, but has been writing and posting recap/reviews of Supernatural on LiveJournal since 2007. She works as a freelance writer and consultant in the real world, and is ever-connected to the six-degrees of Joss Whedon.